Issue 7

So today was voting day in Cleveland and the big issue is the renewal of a sin tax. I just got into a heated debate on Facebook with some idiots and I wanted to hear some of your opinions.

Background on the sin tax:

-For 25 years there has been a tax on alcohol and cigarettes that goes to maintain our stadiums (browns, indians, cavs) which are owned by the public and leased to the teams

-Tax is a $0.005 for a glass of wine, $0.015 for a bottle of beer, and $0.05 for a pack of cigarettes

The tax revenue built our stadiums and today we voted to renew the tax for another 20 years.

This tax (which effects both citizens and tourists) will pay for the upkeep of our city owned-stadiums. I voted yes because if we do not pay this tax the money will come from other programs such as police and fire.

People who voted no argue that the teams should pay more for their leases to cover the tax. Which I believe will raise ticket prices/concessions and decrease demand thus harming the economy.

I don't see the teams agreeing to pay any more than they already do, so I believe that continuing this tax which we have paid for 25 years is the best way to keep the economy stable.

cornholiothis is what i was going to say. let the teams pay to support themselves, or find a new city. keep the tax and put it to something else thats worthwhile

The tax passed, but this is one of the things people who voted no didn't understand. The teams bring so much business to the city that it would be terrible for the economy if they left. So, the city will have to continue maintaining the stadiums either way. Voting no on the tax wouldn't magically force the teams to pay for themselves, the public will still have to pay. If they spent sin tax money on something else that's "worthwhile", they would still need to pay, so the money would come out of other funds anyways.

The money's getting spent either way, the sin tax just gets the city more so they can use other tax money to support other programs.

Some people are seriously freaking out. It's pennies, just pay the damn tax.

.MintBerryCrunchThe tax passed, but this is one of the things people who voted no didn't understand. The teams bring so much business to the city that it would be terrible for the economy if they left. So, the city will have to continue maintaining the stadiums either way. Voting no on the tax wouldn't magically force the teams to pay for themselves, the public will still have to pay. If they spent sin tax money on something else that's "worthwhile", they would still need to pay, so the money would come out of other funds anyways.

The money's getting spent either way, the sin tax just gets the city more so they can use other tax money to support other programs.

Some people are seriously freaking out. It's pennies, just pay the damn tax.

if the city isn't big enough to support the teams they should go elsewhere. maybe cleveland doesnt need NFL and NBA and MLB. if the teams gave a shit about the city they'd pay the little bit extra.

i agree, the tax is minuscule, i just think it could go to better things.

May 6 2014 10:24PM

All times are Eastern (-4)

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